CURCUMIN

Prepared at the 61st JECFA (2003) and published in FNP 52 Add 11

(2003), superseding specifications prepared at 57th JECFA (2001) and
published in FNP 52 Add 9 (2001). An ADI of 0-3 mg/kg body weight was
established at the 61st JECFA in 2003.

SYNONYMS Turmeric yellow, Kurkum, INS No. 100(i)

DEFINITION Curcumin is obtained by solvent extraction of turmeric i.e., the ground
rhizomes of Curcuma longa L. (Curcuma domestica Valeton). In order to
obtain a concentrated curcumin powder, the extract is purified by
crystallization. The product consists essentially of curcumins; i.e. the
colouring principle 1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-
3,5-dione (synonyms: Curcumin, Diferuloylmethane, CI Natural Yellow 3, CI
(1975) 75300) and its desmethoxy- and bis-desmethoxy-derivatives in
varying proportions. Minor amounts of oils and resins naturally occurring in
turmeric may be present. Only the following solvents may be used in the
extraction and purification: acetone, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, hexane
and ethyl acetate. Supercritical carbon dioxide may also be used in the
extraction.

Chemical names Principal colouring components:

I. 1,7-Bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione
II. 1-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-
3,5-dione
III. 1,7-Bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-hepta-1,6-diene-3,5-dione

C.A.S. number I. 458-37-7

II. 33171-16-3
III. 33171-05-0

Chemical formula I. C21H20O6

II. C20H18O5
III. C19H16O4

Structural formula

I. R1 = R2 = OCH3
II. R1 = OCH3, R2 = H
III. R1 = R2 = H

Formula weight I. 368.39

II. 338.39
III. 308.39

Assay Not less than 90 % total colouring matters

DESCRIPTION Orange-yellow crystalline powder

FUNCTIONAL USES Colour

CHARACTERISTICS

IDENTIFICATION

Solubility (Vol. 4) Insoluble in water and in diethyl ether; soluble in ethanol and in glacial
acetic acid.

Colour reactions A solution of the sample in ethanol is characterized by a pure yellow colour
and a light green fluorescence; addition of this ethanol extract to
concentrated sulfuric acid produces a deep crimson colour.

Treat an aqueous or dilute ethanolic solution of the sample with

hydrochloric acid until a slightly orange colour begins to appear. Divide the
mixture into 2 parts and add some boric acid powder or crystals to one
portion. A marked reddening will be quickly apparent, best seen by
comparison with the portion to which the boric acid has not been added.
The test may also be made by dipping pieces of filter paper in an ethanolic
solution of colouring matter, drying at 100, and then moistening with a
weak solution of boric acid to which a few drops of hydrochloric acid have
been added. On drying, a cherry-red colour will develop.

Thin Layer Spot 5 l of test solution (0.01 g of sample in 1 ml of 95% ethanol) on a

Chromatography TLC (Microcrystalline cellulose, 0.1 mm) plate. Develop the plate in a
chamber containing a mixture of 3-methyl-1-butanol/ethanol/
water/ammonia (4:4:2:1) as solvent and allow the solvent front to ascend
10-15 cm. Examine under daylight and under UV-light and observe:
- Two or three yellow spots with Rf between 0.2 and 0.4 under daylight
and UV-light
- Spots with Rf about 0.6 and 0.8 under UV-light
All spots show distinct yellow fluorescence under UV-light.

PURITY

Residual solvents (Vol. 4) Acetone: Not more than 30 mg/kg

Hexane: Not more than 25 mg/kg
Methanol: }
Ethanol:
Not more than 50 mg/kg
Isopropanol:
Ethyl acetate:

See description in Volume 4

Lead (Vol. 4) Not more than 2 mg/kg

Determine using an atomic absorption technique appropriate to the
specified level. The selection of sample size and method of sample
preparation may be based on the principles of the method described in
Volume 4 , Instrumental Methods.
METHOD OF Accurately weigh about 0.08 g of the sample in a 200-ml volumetric flask
ASSAY and dissolve by shaking with ethanol. Make up to volume with ethanol and
mix. Pipette 1.0 ml of solution into a 100-ml volumetric flask and make up to
volume with ethanol.

Determine the absorbance (A) at 425 nm in a 1-cm cell. Calculate the total
colouring matters content of the sample using the following equation.
% Total Colouring matters:

A x 200 x 100
W x 1607
where
A = absorbance of sample
W = weight of sample (g)
1607 = specific absorbance of the curcumin standard in ethanol at 425 nm

The determination must be performed without delay, because the colour

fades.